Rogério Gonzalez

Senior Process Engineer Specialist:

• Manage end-to-end wet process development, including dosing/flavor integration, mixing, hydrolysis, and heat treatment steps, while ensuring operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Oversee high-value global projects across multiple sites, with investments exceeding $10 million, by building business cases, keeping stakeholders informed, and ensuring the successful deployment of expansions.
• Manage 34 sites for various projects, providing technical assistance and developing different technologies to improve efficiency.

Global Subject Matter Owner (GSMO) in Sustainability:

• Implemented new sustainable technologies contributing to the CO2 NET Zero Plan for 2050, reducing CO₂ emissions and driving global sustainability targets for the Infant Cereals business. This includes planning actions with various stakeholders for the next 25 years and managing budget approvals for innovative CAPEX projects.
• Act as the category GSMO for sustainability, aligning all factory operations with the corporate ESG strategy, and supporting each location with training, technical expertise, and technology development tailored to their specific circumstances, energy costs, and budgets.

Responsible for three business units: Nestlé Nutrition (NN), Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW), and Healthy Cereal Solution (HCS), leading over 100 people and overseeing production, quality, and safety standards.

• Successfully executed 8 SMED projects, significantly reducing both planned and unplanned downtime.
• Led 2 DMAIC projects focused on loss reduction and cost optimization, delivering measurable savings.
• Developed and deployed 7 TPM lines, including 4 filling lines, driving progress from Step 0 to Step 6.
• Increased Asset Intensity from 68% to 85%, while reducing unplanned stoppages to below 4% in the filling area.
• Coached and empowered teams towards autonomy, embedding a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across all lines.

Founded a company in partnership with the University of Porto, focused on developing affordable racing cars and providing engineering students with hands-on experience in automotive design and competition.

• Collaborated with the university, receiving institutional support and contributing by teaching and mentoring students in practical engineering classes.
• Gained experience in mechanical engineering, project management, and financial planning, while also managing customers, stakeholders, and student teams.
• Acted as professor and mentor, guiding students in the design, development, and testing of race cars, and providing them with real-world exposure to teamwork, leadership, and motorsport engineering.
• Developed key skills in financial management, people leadership, client relations, and technical project execution through the entrepreneurial journey.

Assistant Production Manager – Nestlé, Avanca (2016–2019)

Responsible for two business units: Nestlé Nutrition (NN) and Healthy Cereal Solution (HCS), with a strong focus on manufacturing leadership, operational performance, and continuous improvement.

• Directed manufacturing operations, ensuring quality, safety, and efficiency across all lines.
• Initiated the TPM journey in Manufacturing, implementing centerlining, CIL (Cleaning, Inspection & Lubrication) standards, and key safety and quality routines, building the foundation for autonomous teams.
• Executed 4 SMED projects, reducing losses, optimising planned downtime, and improving line efficiency.
• Led a DMAIC project on the new CHE (Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Cereals) line, achieving significant loss reduction and process optimisation.
• Served as OSL (Overall Stream Leader) for a €8M investment project to install a new CHE line, delivering a 15% production capacity increase while supporting Nestlé’s sugar reduction strategy.
• Managed the implementation of a new Roller Dryer, followed by a dedicated foreign body reduction program, achieving an 85% decrease in incidents post-installation.
• Introduced a new CIP standard with advanced automation, enhancing hygiene consistency and operational efficiency.
• Implemented a new thermal treatment standard for soups, improving process reliability, product safety, and quality compliance.

Joined the start-up AddVolt after completing my Master’s thesis, which focused on the development of an electric Formula racing car, where I designed and calculated a regenerative braking system. Building on this work, I supported AddVolt in adapting and applying the same principles to the development of an innovative energy recovery solution for refrigerated trucks.

• Collaborated in the creation of a regenerative braking system that recharged onboard batteries, providing the necessary energy for truck refrigeration units.
• Integrated this with ultra-thin solar panels adapted for truck use, enabling clean energy storage and utilisation to power cold chambers.
• Contributed to a solution that allowed refrigerated trucks to circulate during restricted hours (22h–7h) in Portuguese cities, extending delivery schedules while complying with regulations.
• Delivered tangible benefits by reducing emissions and significantly cutting operational costs, replacing the traditional thermal generator system that consumed 3–5 L/h of fuel solely for refrigeration.

• Facilitated coordinated extracurricular programs for young students exploring university course options.
• Enhanced student engagement through consistent communication and the organization of informative events aligned with curriculum content.
• Developed a variety of activities related to the Mechanical Engineering program to showcase potential career paths and opportunities associated with the degree.
• Oversaw the integration of general engineering principles into the curriculum, thereby enriching the overall educational experience.

• Facilitated coordinated extracurricular programs for young students exploring university course options.
• Enhanced student engagement through consistent communication and the organization of informative events aligned with curriculum content.
• Developed a variety of activities related to the Mechanical Engineering program to showcase potential career paths and opportunities associated with the degree.
• Oversaw the integration of general engineering principles into the curriculum, thereby enriching the overall educational experience.

• Facilitated coordinated extracurricular programs for young students exploring university course options.
• Enhanced student engagement through consistent communication and the organization of informative events aligned with curriculum content.
• Developed a variety of activities related to the Mechanical Engineering program to showcase potential career paths and opportunities associated with the degree.
• Oversaw the integration of general engineering principles into the curriculum, thereby enriching the overall educational experience.